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An opportunity for a late start, as we only needed to cover a short distance today. However, some of the team couldn’t resist the opportunity for an early morning wander. The woods were alive with the sound of birds and the fast flowing river made a constant noise as the water cascaded over the rocks into the pools behind the lodge. The dippers were darting about the river between the pools and the workmen repaired the wooden planks across the suspension bridge that our horses would cross later in the morning. The rotten planks were carried off by children and the new ones were nailed into place. Breakfast started with porridge sprinkled with coconut followed by cheese omelettes and black tea. We prepared our day sacks and set off after the horses towards Rimbick.
The track was halfway up the side of a steep valley with the river running at its base. The homes along the route were frequently decorated with pots full of brightly coloured flowers and the people we passed were often smiling and friendly. The land was being cultivated with vegetables and every home seemed to have a smallholding. Cattle were in small sheds and pigs were in wooden pens on stilts due to the steepness of the terraces. Chickens scratched around with their chicks and dogs followed us eagerly anticipating biscuits. We were passed by many people going down to the market in Rimbik, some carrying heavy loads in hessian sacks. One small 15 year-old boy was carrying a 50kg load with a piece of rope around the sack and over his head. When he stopped for a rest one of the team attempted to lift the sack by the same method; he struggled to stand up whilst the rest of the team took photos. The lad was hoping to receive about 1 rupee per kg at the market. The boy was rewarded with some sweets and rupees to boost his trip to market. Children as young as 10 years old were carrying heavy sacks of vegetables and they tagged along with us along the route eating sweets.
When we reached a small village school we stopped to offer some gifts to the children. The teacher was content for us to interrupt their classes and they lined up in the playground wandering what was happening. The children all received books, sweets and clothes. The children then challenged the visitors to a game of stick hockey. The ball was made of rags tied with strips of vegetation and the sticks were about 2 feet long. The visitors put up a valiant effort but the defence was affected by the altitude. The local villagers enjoyed the display and made the most of the sweets at half time. The School team celebrated their victory with cheers and smiles and all the players shook hands before going their separate ways. Morale was high as the team walked down the valley to their accommodation.
Hot showers and some good food lifted spirits even further as the first part of the expedition came to a close. Several of the team went into the town to view the market and brave the rainfall. The local barber had a field day cutting hair and shaving rugged faces. His massage technique provided much amusement for the onlookers as their friend was beaten about the head and shoulders. The team gathered in the dining room for another feast and a special cake to mark the end of the first stage. In the morning the cook team and one of the guides would be following in the footsteps of the horsemen and departing for their homes. The night drew to a close with the inevitable game of Jenga (the loser having to eat the decoration off the cake, a flower made out of carrot and beetroot).
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